08 Aug
Life After Teaching
One of the most exciting parts of working abroad as an ESL teacher is that the career possibilities feel endless. While some have a life-long passion for teaching, others might be curious about how to take their teaching experience and turn it into something new. Here are some of the top career paths that are perfect to branch off from ESL teaching.
Educational Consultant
An educational consultant works with schools and students to streamline their educational goals. This career is an easy way to stay within the educational space without necessarily focusing on ESL or the day-to-day realities of teaching. This is a perfect career for anyone passionate about curriculum, student advocacy, and big picture thinking.
Study Abroad Coordinator
Study abroad coordinators help students interested in continuing their education abroad. This involves everything from student outreach to supporting students at home and in their host country. My study abroad coordinator in college got to split his time between my college town and England. Sounds pretty chic to me! If you love life abroad but are ready to spend more time back in your home country, this is a great next career move.
Interpreter
Living in a foreign country is a great opportunity to learn a second language! If you’re able to fine-tune this skill, an interpreter might be your next career move. Interpreters work in various industries from business to tourism and entertainment! Regardless of if you choose to pursue a career as an interpreter or not, any level of language skills is impressive on a resume!
Immigration Advocacy
Immigrant advocates support immigrants as they get settled in their new country. This advocacy can function in a myriad of ways: legal services, social services, translating services, etc. Anecdotally, I can tell you it’s really difficult to live abroad and not experience a higher level of empathy for immigrants globally. Advocating for immigrants back in your home country might be the perfect way to marry your past work experience with all that you’ve learned while living abroad!
Small Business Owner
When I obtained my TEFL certification, one of my instructors was a small business owner. She took her passion for ESL education and her entrepreneurial spirit and started her own business teaching ESL. If you love teaching and want to be your own boss, this might be the right fit for you! If it’s not ESL, it might be education consulting, writing & editing services, or tourism marketing.
Curriculum Developer
Maybe you’ve realized you have a passion for education but have no interest in spending all day with kids. A great next step is to become a curriculum developer. In this job, curriculum developers take what they’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to create instructional materials for teachers. This job is perfect for people who are creative, strategic, and no longer want to be teaching day-in and day-out!
One thing life in Korea has taught me is that anything is possible if you’re willing to work hard for it!
Diana Richtman, Marketing Assistant
Diana Richtman is a writer and ESL teacher living in Seoul, South Korea. Originally from Savannah, Georgia in the United States, Diana holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in English & Women’s Studies. After receiving her TEFL certification, Diana moved to South Korea where she works at one of Creverse’s April Institutes. When Diana isn’t working, she loves exploring Korea, drinking warm cups of tea, and scaring away her friends with her karaoke performances.